There’s a powerful truth tucked away in an Old Testament chapter that’s tempting to skip or skim. In Exodus 30, God tells Moses to make a gold-covered wooden pillar to burn incense every morning and evening. The top of the pillar had four horns, stylish pieces of wood on each corner, which would be smeared with the blood of an innocent sacrifice once each year.

Do you see the connection to your spiritual life? Probably not. Here’s some help. The fragrant incense was a reminder that prayers are sweet to God. Our Father is not like a busy dad hunched over a laptop who wishes his kids would just leave him alone. No, he smiles when he hears our voices. 

Second, the smoke of the incense was a reminder that prayers reach the heavens. When you pray, it’s never pointless or powerless. Bring your aching joints, your complicated family, your history test, and your pet sin to God. Every request reaches the throne from where he runs the universe.

Finally, remember the blood. In the temple, the blood of an innocent sacrifice made Israel’s prayers holy enough for God to accept. It’s the same with yours. The blood of Jesus makes your prayers good enough for a glorious God. No longer are you praying as a sinner; you pray as a dearly loved son or daughter. That’s the power of praying “in Jesus’ name.”

Or, as James put it, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).